Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)

Released in 1980, "Coal Miner's Daughter" tells the true story of Loretta Lynn and her amazing journey from a poor Kentucky Coal Miner's daughter to the "First Lady" of Country music.

Let me stress that you don't have to like Country music to enjoy this movie. Heck, I'm into the heavier side of metal and the film had no problem pulling me in. As a matter of fact, I wasn't even in the mood for this type of film last night, yet after a mere 35 minutes or so I was spellbound until the end; not to mention I found myself today watching music videos of Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline on youtube (!!).

Sissy Spacek and a young Tommy Lee Jones play Loretta and her husband, while Beverly D'Angelo has a small-but-significant role as Patsy Cline. The acting is so stellar that it seems like you're watching real people.

It's useless to cite best scenes because this is the type of of high-quality film where you just press 'play' and enjoy from beginning to end.

One segment I'd like to comment on, though, is where Loretta and her husband (Oliver "Mooney") come back to Kentucky from Custer, Washington, for the funeral of Loretta's dad. After the funeral Oliver points out that, if they're ever going to make it in the music biz, they have to act now and travel to all the radio stations and push her first single. They put in the time and sweat and the song -- "Honky Tonk Girl" -- became a breakthrough hit. What's the point? We must be sensitive to the critical times in our lives when we must step out in faith and ACT if we want to be successful in our chosen call. If Loretta and Mooney hadn't put the meddle to the peddle at that critical moment you probably wouldn't be reading this.

There are numerous other great segments, including Loretta's relationship with Patsy Cline and her moving breakdown on stage near the end.

The film runs 2 hours and 5 minutes and was filmed in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

PERSONAL GRADE: A

Fmovies: If you are wondering why and how Coal Miner's Daughter got made here is the history. In l980 I worked for Bernie Schwartz, the producer of this film. There was a "Reader's Digest Condensed Book" sitting on the coffee table in the front office. I picked it up and read "Loretta Lynn's Story." I finished it and thought it would be a good TV film. I went to Bernie and told him. He called Ned Tanen, Head of Universal Pictures. He saw him the next day and got a deal. Ned figured at the very least they could sell the album since Loretta Lynn recorded for MCA records. They also owned Universal. Bernie then called Thom Rickman, who wrote it. The Englsh director, Apted, came over to direct it and they got Sissy. Ironically, I read the book because the scripts I had been reading were boring. And what happened to me.. .

This film has always had a special place in my heart, and now that I've viewed it for the first time all the way thru it means even more. Two things first I grew up in the rural mountains and hills of Southwestern Virginia and my father earned his living as a hard working and loving coal miner. As I always said we mountain people always had great work ethic and determination. And this film proves that by showing the will and determination that Loretta had to achieve her goal. This film would not be everyone's cup of tea as many look down on southern rural folks as many see them as retarded hillbillies and rednecks. Still while watching "Coal Miner's Daughter" most should feel touched and uplifted as it's a great real life success story that gives many hope proving they can escape poverty.

Sissy Spacek(who won an Oscar for best actress) is in top form with her portrayal of Loretta Lynn and the direction is top notch from Brit Michael Apted as he adapted the screenplay from George Vecsey's book. The film traces Loretta from her humble start in the rural Kentucky hills butcher hollow to be accurately. Loretta was poor as her daddy as a coal miner still loved and provided for her and her siblings. Loretta's only escape was when solider boy Doolittle Lynn(in one of Tommy Lee Jones's earliest and finest roles)returns to the the bluegrass as he takes her by storm and she marries young and the babies start to come. Thru this quick love affair one thing is discovered Loretta has a talent for singing.

Little by little Doolittle helps her transform into a star by sending out records and slowly but surely Loretta makes appearances up to the big time. Along the way heartbreak, stress, jealousy, and pain is present yet nothing will tear down or destroy this strong country gal she's as tough and gritty emotionally as they come. Nice was seeing in a great supporting role the early work of Beverly D' Angelo who shined as Patsy Cline.

This film is a great biopic a triumph of a strong determined woman who had the will and determination to make it on her talent. Loretta Lynn proved one can overcome poverty, and in the meantime be proud and never forget who you are or where you came from that's a lesson many should take in life be yourself that's another message that this classic biopic taught.

Coal Miner's Daughter fmovies. The true-life story of Loretta Lynn (dominant Oscar-winner Sissy Spacek) from her youth where she married at the tender age of 13 all the way to country music stardom. Along for the ride is her husband (Tommy Lee Jones' first legitimate role), an amazingly complex individual who has anger management and jealousy issues. Beverly D'Angelo (in arguably her finest career performance) is also a solid scene-stealer playing doomed singer Patsy Cline. Spacek and D'Angelo actually did all the singing themselves and that just elevates an already high level of performances. The direction by Michael Apted is adequate and so is the Oscar-nominated adaptation, but the excellent work by the three leads makes "Coal Miner's Daughter" one of the finest pictures of the early-1980s. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Tommy Lee Jones proves once again he is the best at what he does as Sissy Spacek shines in one of new favorite films. Based upon the true story of Loretta Lynn, "Coal Miner's Daughter" profiles one of the greatest country singers of all time.

Movies based on true stories are really hard to make since details must be mostly if not all accurate. "Coal Miner's Daughter" far succeeded this and what resulted was one of the best true stories ever brought to the big screen.

"Coal Miner's Daughter" is a film that should be treasured and be considered as a classic because this is as close to greatness as you will get. Telling the story of how a coal miner's daughter went from rags to riches with the help of her husband Mooney. There is so much to learn from watching "Coal Miner's Daughter" that goes beyond what is shown on film.

If I take one thing away from this film it would be this: no matter what comes your way, always follow your heart and pursue your dreams because they will always come true.

I was so proud to have seen this film because it was not only one of the best it was also an educational tool that I could implement in my life. I hope that everyone who reads this review will rent this film and get the same out of it as I did.

As one of the better cinematic bios, "Coal Miner's Daughter" deserves praise because it is such a topnotch production. Sissy Spacek gives a terrific performance in the rags-to-riches, true-life story of country music legend Loretta Lynn. Spacek does her own singing in the movie, as does Beverly D'Angelo in the role of Patsy Cline.

But this lavish, big budget film has more to offer than the great performances of these two actresses. Attention to detail in production design, costumes, and makeup, plus topnotch editing combine to rev up the film's technical quality. And I loved that soundtrack with all those great country/western songs, including especially "Honky Tonk Angels" by the wonderful Kitty Wells. All of these cinematic elements render a film that is as entertaining as it is factual.

Loretta Lynn's story originates in the South; it's a story rich in emotion and appreciation of simple home values like love, family, and perseverance. Local non-actors are brought into the film in bit parts, and that amplifies the authenticity of her surroundings, especially her Southern roots.

My only problem with this film is the plot structure. The first fifty minutes could have been condensed. In particular, that part of the film that deals with Loretta's love affair with Mooney (Tommy Lee Jones), his red jeep, and Loretta's dad was too long and drawn out.

But overall, "Coal Miner's Daughter" is amazing because it presents a true-life success story that was by no means inevitable. All kinds of things could have intervened along the way to stop Loretta's rise to the top. Her husband was a big help, but she also had talent, and she got some breaks at crucial times. Her journey from rural Kentucky poverty to Nashville mansion thus makes for a gripping story helped along by the nearly perfect performance of Sissy Spacek.